All angels were created simultaneously. Thus, it can be surmised that no angel is older than the other. They were created out of nothing like the rest of the world and before Adam and Eve at the dawn of creation. Angels are by nature higher than man. Er Chris Alar, the Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the United States and Argentina, wrote and produced the popular “Divine Mercy 101” and “Explaining the Faith” DVD series. He is also the author of the bestselling book, Understanding Divine Mercy. He explains that by grace (of the Incarnation and the Immaculate Conception), man was elevated higher than the angels. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Queen of Angels.
Catholic Thoughts about Angels
Scripture, Catechism of the Catholic Church, many Saints and writers have described the role of angels in our lives. “If you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your stronghold, no harm will come upon you, no disaster will draw near your tent. For He will command His Angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up with their hands so that your foot will not hit a stone.”(Ps. 91:9-12) St Alphonsus Liguori wrote, “Our prayers are so dear to God that he has appointed the angels to present them to Him as soon as they come forth from our mouths.” St Francis de Sales advises, “Make yourself familiar with the angels and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.”
Although angels are non-denominational, it is imperative that we know exactly what the Catholic Church has dogmatically proclaimed concerning angels. Knowledge of angels is drawn primarily from three sources: Dogmatic Truths, Traditional Teachings and Speculative Theology. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the existence of the spiritual, not-corporeal beings that sacred scripture calls “Angels is a truth of the faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of tradition (CCC 328) St. Augustine says: Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it spirit, if you seek the name of their office, it is “angel”: from what they are ‘spirit’, from what they do ‘angel”. With their whole beings, the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word.”
As purely spiritual creatures, angels have intelligence and will; they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection, all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness. (CCC 329-330) The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 formulated the truths of faith in the Nicene Creed. Although angels are not specifically mentioned, their existence and creation are implied in the opening sentence, “We believe in God… Creator of all that is seen and unseen…” Other dogmas regarding angels were defined in later Councils – Fourth Lateran Council (1215) and again at the First Vatican Council (1869-70). These Councils declared that angels are spiritual beings with intelligence and free will created by God at the dawn of creation.
The good angels, who remained faithful, enjoy the beatific vision, glorify God, and are utilised by God as emissaries of the divine plan to humans. The Church has also defined as dogma that some angels, led by Satan, rebelled and are forever cast out of God’s presence. We must note that these fallen angels or devils have not lost their power to tempt human beings. Though there will be a constant struggle between good and evil, good will ultimately prevail because of Christ’s passion and redemption of humanity. Although our belief in angels is secondary to our belief in Christ, the Church teaches that the Lord uses angels to communicate His will to mortal creatures. Catechism teaches that “…the whole life of the church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.” (CCC 334) Despite this, the Church affirms that Christ is the centre of our worship, and that angels are “created through Him and for Him”. (Col. 1:16)
• Excerpt from the book “Called to be Holy” by the Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, Lekki Sub-Council, Lagos.
